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Removal instructions for DesktopSearch

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Started by Metallica , May 13 2015 11:46 AM

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#1
Metallica
Posted 13 May 2015 - 11:46 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

  • GeekU Moderator
  • 33,101 posts
Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is DesktopSearch?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that DesktopSearch is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.

How do I know if my computer is affected by DesktopSearch?

You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:

warning4.png

and these warnings during install:

main.png

warning1.png

and you may see these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:

icons.png

and this Scheduled Task:

warning3.png

How did DesktopSearch get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.

How do I remove DesktopSearch?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
  • Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
    • Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
    • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • Then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
  • Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of DesktopSearch?
  • The shortcut called DesktopSearch on the desktop can be deleted if it belonged to the rogue.
  • This PUP creates a scheduled task. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the DesktopSearch adware. �It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png


Technical details for experts

You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DesktopSearch] C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe -ros
O23 - Service: DesktopSearch - Unique Solutions - C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe
Possible signs in FRST logs:
 (Unique Solutions) C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe
 () C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe
 () C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\netengine.exe
 () C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\netengine.exe
 HKCU\...\Run: [DesktopSearch] => C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe [153568 2015-05-13] ()
 R2 DesktopSearch; C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe [2730976 2015-05-13] (Unique Solutions)
 () C:\ProgramData\NetEngine
 () C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\Desktop Search.lnk
 () C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Desktop Search
 () C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch

DesktopSearch (HKLM\...\DesktopSearch) (Version: 3.0.54 - Unique Solutions)
Task: {0DD188F0-38FE-4A95-A01E-224E9639359D} - System32\Tasks\NetEngine => C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\netengine.exe [2015-05-13] () <==== ATTENTION
Alterations made by the installer:
File system details  
---------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch
       Adds the file DesktopSearch.dll"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 1240544 bytes, A
       Adds the file DesktopSearch.exe"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 153568 bytes, A
       Adds the file DesktopSearch.exe.config"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 193 bytes, A
       Adds the file DesktopSearch.ico"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 112849 bytes, A
       Adds the file DesktopSearchService.exe"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 2730976 bytes, A
       Adds the file DesktopSearchService.exe.config"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 288 bytes, A
       Adds the file info.dat"="5/13/2015 6:10 PM, 112 bytes, A
       Adds the file uninstall.exe"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 657376 bytes, A
       Adds the file uninstall.exe.config"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 168 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\NetEngine
       Adds the file dat.dat"="5/13/2015 6:10 PM, 0 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10
       Adds the file netengine.exe"="5/13/2015 6:10 PM, 75776 bytes, A
       Adds the file netengine.exe.config"="5/13/2015 6:10 PM, 202 bytes, A
       Adds the file sqlite3.dll"="5/13/2015 6:10 PM, 650725 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Desktop Search
       Adds the file Desktop Search FAQ.lnk"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 1409 bytes, A
       Adds the file Desktop Search.lnk"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 2047 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall Desktop Search.lnk"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 1784 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
       Adds the file Desktop Search.lnk"="5/13/2015 6:05 PM, 1913 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file NetEngine"="5/13/2015 6:10 PM, 3438 bytes, A

Registry details  
------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}]
       "id"="REG_SZ", "65f8a1ec38b847a992d6b033b008bb00"
       "p"="REG_SZ", "4389"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{3c99d633-49e8-e8c6-d357-75e3a7c88e44}]
       "csv"="REG_SZ", "1"
       "id"="REG_SZ", "65f8a1ec38b847a992d6b033b008bb00"
       "lpvcc"="REG_SZ", "3.0.54"
       "p"="REG_SZ", "4389"
       "ti"="REG_SZ", "635671374436059772"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{50beb03f-f722-efc9-e389-fad02eb2c7a5}]
       "ik"="REG_SZ", "{c55bb3fb-6e23-3fd0-21ea-22035c3003fe}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{9C4EFBD5-1ADF-41E6-BE26-AF44326E30E4}]
       "(Default)"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "v"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "vs"="REG_SZ", "1"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{A2970C7C-8392-4E6F-8B51-B763CF38E13C}]
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{a5ccf091-66f3-e131-ec6f-c8f30a192789}]
       "id"="REG_SZ", "65f8a1ec38b847a992d6b033b008bb00"
       "ip"="REG_SZ", "4389"
       "p"="REG_SZ", "4389"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}]
       "id"="REG_SZ", "65f8a1ec38b847a992d6b033b008bb00"
       "p"="REG_SZ", "4389"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\DesktopSearchService_RASAPI32]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\DesktopSearchService_RASMANCS]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\netengine_RASAPI32]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\netengine_RASMANCS]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\DesktopSearch]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.ico"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "DesktopSearch"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "3.0.54"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 5000
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.desktopsearchapp.com/about.html"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "5/13/2015"
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Unique Solutions"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\uninstall.exe""
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\DesktopSearch]
       "DependOnService"="REG_MULTI_SZ, "Winmgmt CryptSvc "
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "DesktopSearch"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "FailureActions"="REG_BINARY, <.....................
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe""
       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
       "DesktopSearch"="REG_SZ", "C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe -ros"
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 5/13/2015
Scan Time: 6:22:02 PM
Logfile: mbamDeskTopSearch.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.01.6.1022
Malware Database: v2015.05.13.04
Rootkit Database: v2015.04.21.01
License: Trial
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Disabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x86
File System: NTFS
User: Malwarebytes

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 289848
Time Elapsed: 5 min, 37 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 4
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe, 3136, Delete-on-Reboot, [3cece1b2f991d264484e530340c6748c]
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe, 2664, Delete-on-Reboot, [d058d7bc97f3f244ddb92630fe0823dd]
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\netengine.exe, 1968, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4]
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\netengine.exe, 1104, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4]

Modules: 1
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\sqlite3.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 

Registry Keys: 4
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\DesktopSearch, Quarantined, [3cece1b2f991d264484e530340c6748c], 
PUP.Optional.WebSteroids.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}, Quarantined, [b27630639bef60d6c8fc2b2cac57a759], 
PUP.Optional.DynConIE.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}, Quarantined, [29ffd0c395f548ee474c1a3dc63d38c8], 
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\DesktopSearch, Quarantined, [22064e45ff8bf93d9ef84c0af214d52b], 

Registry Values: 2
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN|DesktopSearch, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe -ros, Quarantined, [d058d7bc97f3f244ddb92630fe0823dd]
PUP.Optional.DesktopSearch.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\DESKTOPSEARCH|ImagePath, "C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe", Quarantined, [0721fe9548427cbaf64d7eedf5108977]

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 4
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 
PUP.Optional.DesktopSearch.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch, Delete-on-Reboot, [8f99642f533737ff99a83734719429d7], 

Files: 14
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [3cece1b2f991d264484e530340c6748c], 
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [d058d7bc97f3f244ddb92630fe0823dd], 
PUP.Optional.ZombieInvasion.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.dll, Quarantined, [5bcd94ff4d3de1555ba446be15f1a25e], 
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [22064e45ff8bf93d9ef84c0af214d52b], 
PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\DeskTopSearch.exe, Quarantined, [3eeacec55d2ddb5bd3c33e1859ad2ed2], 
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\dat.dat, Quarantined, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\netengine.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\netengine.exe.config, Quarantined, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 
PUP.Optional.NetEngine.A, C:\ProgramData\NetEngine\bin\D10\sqlite3.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [d157890a7c0e6ec8de442345dc295ca4], 
PUP.Optional.DesktopSearch.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearchService.exe.config, Quarantined, [8f99642f533737ff99a83734719429d7], 
PUP.Optional.DesktopSearch.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.exe.config, Quarantined, [8f99642f533737ff99a83734719429d7], 
PUP.Optional.DesktopSearch.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\DesktopSearch.ico, Quarantined, [8f99642f533737ff99a83734719429d7], 
PUP.Optional.DesktopSearch.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\info.dat, Delete-on-Reboot, [8f99642f533737ff99a83734719429d7], 
PUP.Optional.DesktopSearch.A, C:\ProgramData\DesktopSearch\uninstall.exe.config, Quarantined, [8f99642f533737ff99a83734719429d7], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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